No financials listed yet; probably won't be until the end of the next reporting period in October.

Is this committee a big deal? What will it be doing and paying for?

Posted by jcb at September 13, 2006 07:55 PM

Comments

This committee will be out smearing those good for nothing Republicans.

Posted by: Anonymous at September 13, 2006 10:09 PM

Among the more advanced and organized counties and political groups, it's very common to have official PACs around which you organize basic voter education efforts to generate support on election day.

Posted by: values matter at September 13, 2006 10:28 PM

I just arrived home from the first big political debate of the cycle in Carrol County. There was a huge crowd in a packed hall . The big race of the night was with Harring and Boland. There were plenty of jabs thrown from these two men. Boland's big issue seemed to be the E85 for state cars. The only real punch that landed was from Harring. He hit boland with being fiscally irresponsable. I could not hear the rest of what he said due to the audible ouch that was sent through the room. This seemed to resinate with the very Republican crowd. Congressman Dan Monzolla was also in attendance with his challenger Dick Auman. These two men didn't do much in the way of swinging at each other. I found it to be drab in comparisson to Harring/Boland. The other big matchup that was to take place was Jacobs and Beals. Beals didn't bother to show up however. Jacobs did a good job and touted his having the highest farm beurou rating in the state two years running. This resonated with the rural Republican crowd. Sen. Todd Sieben and Sen. Mike Jacobs were given a special award for their work with the farm issues and the rural community. Seiben in a strange way seemed to almost endorse Jacobs. This was very odd part of the evening. This was a very long event that was half dissapointing to me because I went to see Harring/Boland and Beals/Jacobs square off. The Haring / Boland was a great preview of whats to come. As for Beals not being there for the other half of the show down was very disturbing. I hope that he finds the time to come to the womans rights event for the next big showdown.

Posted by: Charles Reading at September 13, 2006 10:54 PM

Did anyone challenge Mr. Haring about how he can simultaneously criticize Mike Boland for deficit spending and also support George Bush and the largest deficits in American history?

Someone needs to check that contradiction at the door, or challenge that hypocrisy at the door.

Their selective indignation about deficits is stunning and politics as usual.

That's also big news that Beals wasn't there for the forum with Jacobs, but Jacobs has been such a strong friend of agriculture that I'm sure the challenger might have felt embarrassed to be in that type of setting almost.

Posted by: values matter at September 13, 2006 11:24 PM

My father came back from the big debate about 2 hour ago and about said same. Dad felt Haring did a good. Dad said, "Haring is honest . he said all "Boland kept talking about was matters that didn't amount to nuthing to no body."

Afterwards Dad went to the bar and met a couple of smart city kids getting lickered and they talking about hiw nervous they was bout Bolond. Guess they had some numbers and said wasn't doen to good.

Dad's friend Charlie said the same. Milt said there was nearly 150 people at the hall forthe meeting and said it was exciten.

They all said Jacobs and Seibens and Sacia did good. Dad said he knew Senator Jacobs grandpa Jake real well and that the whole family was honest.

I wish I had known that this event was taking place. I am very interested in Harring Boland race and would like to know where their next clash will take place. Will they be at the womans event that I have heard about. This is turning into the clash of the titans.

Posted by: Ernest Benson at September 14, 2006 07:57 AM

Mr. Beals needs to learn and prioritise and plan his business and his candidacy. Is he planning to quit his job if he wins or is he going to be a full time Senator.

Posted by: Anonymous at September 14, 2006 09:09 AM

Who would want to be in politics over a career with international travel? Beals isn't thinking this one through!

Posted by: Anonymous at September 14, 2006 09:24 AM

Does his company outsource? He is always in Malaysia or India. What's going on there in his world? Or is he undercover again?

Posted by: JS at September 14, 2006 09:46 AM

I think that the Haring Boland race is heating up to be the best race of the campaign season. Haring is doing everything in his power to beat Boland. Could anyone else that was at the forum please advise to the dynamics of Boland and Haring at the debate. I am curious where and when the next debate between these two will be. It is sure to be electrifying.

Posted by: Jane Cline at September 14, 2006 12:22 PM

At least Haring is a credible candidate. Beals is not electable.He's fighting in bars. his jaw is wired shut, and he didn't show up at the big debate last night.
I was going to.work for his campaign, but I am switching over to Steve Haring. He did a good job last night. He made Boland look petty.

I had never met Sen. Mike Jacobs before, but he impressed a lot of people last night. I didn't realize he was such a strong supporter of rural issues. Nor did I realize what a
nice looking man he is.

Boland came off as phoney politican. He kept talking about silly bills that didn't amount to anything. It made Boland look to be out of touch with reality.

Haring looked confident and strong. He made some excellent points and zinged (no pun intended) Boland a couple of times.

Haring went after Boland and Blagojevich for wasting taxpayer dollars on "hip-hop dances" in Chicago. Haring further reported that as loca voters struggled, Boland voted himself a fat pay raise.

After the debate people I spoke with people that thought Haring was better suited to represent our area than Boland. Haring also proved himself capable of unseating Boland. A young person traveling with Haring told us about a poll that showed the two locked in a "satistical deadheat." This is going to be a fun race to watch.

People round town have been taklking bout the meetin sense last night. Everyone seen it agree Haring did good. Boland they said didn't do so good.

Boland said was voten for hip hop dances and stuff in Chicagao. He didn't seem to unerstand that there people up here don't care bout no hip-hop dances. We needs jobs, not dances.

Mt brother been unempoyed for 4 months, before the train shut down.

Jason got hired at the new prision and all but he say Sen. Jacobs and Rep. Pat Verschore from the cities got the place opened, not Bolan.

I use tom think Mike Boland was do in a good job, but after listenens to my brother and others from the meeting Boland looks to be in trouble.

People been sayin Diane Powers did good and so did Sherif Doran and Sandy Allen from down the stret and Brian Woessner who ownes the title company here in town and Rep. Jim Sacia, and that fella from Sieben Hybreads.

This meetin was the bigest thing to happen around here in awhil. It's not everyday you get so many famous people in ouyr area. I hear Sen. Jacobs stopped by at Chariles and bouht everyone a drink. Cool.

Dan Hynes endorsed Barack Obama for President today in Chicago. Great move, Dan Hynes. Hynes must have some sharp campaign folks working for him. Maybe this will help convince Barack that the time to strike is when the iron is hot.

Posted by: values matter at September 14, 2006 04:42 PM

John, are you going to post Hare's FEC reports in the border at any point?

Posted by: Anonymous at September 15, 2006 07:34 AM

Between the "first time internet users" and the posts about the meetin, it's obvious the Haring campaign has decided to pose as normal people on the blogs to attempt to sway the vote.
It's almost as hard to spot it when Beals posts anonymously.

Posted by: Anonymous? at September 15, 2006 08:06 AM

It's much more likely "normal people" are tired of being short-changed by Boland's self-serving antics.

I hate to break it to you, but a lot of people around these parts think Boland is a joke. Being from Chicago, I surmise you wouldn't yet understand that equation. After a few weeks workinf for Boland, you'll soon better understand.

Anyway, have a great time during your vitis to the Quads, and next time you see your paymaster(Madigan) say hello for us!

I'm not really sure why local Dems are doing the Rico Democratic GOTV thing. Maybe it's a prerequisite to get September Fund money. I really don't think the local Dems fear the local GOP.

The GOP "invented" GOTV to get out the vote because the GOP is a grassroots party. Local Dems, including Lane ("I Can Do The Job") Evans depend on liberal PACs like the abortion activists, trial lawyers, unions, etc. plus money from people like Mr. Moneybags Soros, Barbra Streisand and other limousine liberals to win. Why would they suddenly try to reach out to the "little people"?

All I can say is that I sent a big, fat check to the County Collector today for taxes, and I do hope that Ms. Kerr doesn't see my money as Democrat money, the way the unions see unions dues as Democrat money.

People around here don't want to give up our family farms. We value the land and don't want to turn everything into a pig plant. You'll soon see Chicago that we ar willing to fight for what we believe in.

The stank you picked up came from the exhaust of Boland's $54,000 Cadillac Deville. I guess when you have as many government pensions as Boland, and all these loggyist buying you things money is no obect.

I just read that the friend of Karl Rove who bankrolled the nasty Swift Boat TV ads that were full of lies about John Kerry's service in Vietnam is at it again, pumping $5 million into his 527 to attack Democrats.

From what I heard on the radio this morning, on WOC Talk radio, the House Republicans and the Haring campaign might be planning to run a Swift Boat campaign. Their ad is full of mistatements and distortions. It might be time for Democrats like Verschoore, Jacobs and Boland to tell Tom Cross and his gang of campaign thugs from Chicago that that style of negative campaigning isn't welcome in this community.

Posted by: values matter at September 15, 2006 11:19 PM

Is Haring going to refuse his state pension?
Last I heard every State Rep gets one and I'm curious if Steve is going to be different?

Boland bought his car used and it's got somethin' like 200,000 mile on it. It's broken down all to hell sweetheart! The A/C doesn't even work on Mike's car. Try ridin' to Savanna and back on a 100 degree day with Boland! You call that luxury?

Tammy - you need to get an air conditioner for your trailer - because the last heat wave looks to have cooked your brain!

Posted by: TommyLee at September 16, 2006 09:07 AM

Ad up the money being spent on Chicago Staffers from Madigan and then ad up the money Cross is spending for Springfield Staffers. You will get the picture. Boland is a baught and paid for Chicago fat cat living off tax payer dollars and producing nothing for his district. He has become part of the problem in Springfield.

The House Republicans are bringing in their SWIFT BOAT style campaign to the Quad Cities.
We should reject it outright. Never have we had such negative, mudslinging as we're seeing now.
Stand up against the wealthy billionaires bankrolling Haring's campaign.

Posted by: values matter at September 16, 2006 07:42 PM

Values Matter
Really, All the billionaires are backing Haring's campaign? ... O.K. ... I thought if was Boland who was taking money from big energy companies like Mid-American.

Get real FarmgirlinThomson, if I had the goods on some corrupt RICO official, do you really think I'd just blather about it on a blog? No, HELL no, I'd be hunting down the nearest Republican prosecutor to go after 'em.

My point was that the officers of the RICO GOTV all belong to the 'Krat Kozy Korthouse Club, where "krats have ruled for a generation. One party rule fosters the feeling of entitlement and the idea that no one will rat 'em out because everyone owes their job to 'krats. Not exactly an atmosphere conducive to whistleblowers.

Massive amounts of money filter through the courthouse and county building, not just taxes, but also fines, fees, child support payments, etc. There have already been some incidents of "missing money" at the courthouse/county building, but not enough for the public to demand either more accountablity/transparency or regime change.

Which brings me back to my point----if the unions can use their dues to promote Democrat candidates that the rank-and-file may not approve, it's not that much of a stretch for RICO 'krats to use RICO money to further their political aims. Are we supposed to believe that the local Dems really need a "turn out the vote" program? Good lord, most of them are unopposed and all they have to do to win is to roll out of bed, go to the polling place and vote for themselves.

Mr. Beals why did you chose to miss the debate with Mr. Jacobs? The Haring Boland was a great win for Haring. This could have been a good night for you.
I think that you need to take this campaign a little more serious.

Posted by: John P at September 17, 2006 08:14 PM

John --
Just returned from West Indianola, IA, and the 29th Annual Tom Harkin Steak Fry. Let me just tell you that Senator Barack Obama created quite a stir by his attendance. He could barely sit down to eat a steak with Chet Culver and Tom Harkin; autograph-seekers and media and fans were swarming and crowding and buzzing. Must have been what it was like for someone like Robert Kennedy on the campaign trail.

Chet Culver gave a rip roaring address about Iowa values and about what his career as a teacher and coach taught him for politics.
Tom Vilsack spoke about his Iowa record. Barack Obama spoke about the best of American values and principles that should guide our politics, and said it's not about power it's about principle. C-SPAN covered his remarks live and they should be replayed a few times tonight and early in the morning.

Great eventk!

Posted by: grillmaster deluxe II at September 17, 2006 09:22 PM

What about the money Big Mike promised he'd get from the state for the City of Orion to fix their ball diamond which is in sore need of repair?

The city moved forward based on Jacobs' word and the project is already scheduled and contracts are signed.

Then "Big Mike" tells the city last week, um, sorry, there must have been some misunderstanding, there's no money for you after all.

Now the town is going to have to choke down around $35 or $40,000 due to Jacobs breaking a promise and leaving the city of Orion holding the bag.

What's up with that?

Posted by: Anonymous at September 19, 2006 06:14 PM

The price of a campaign yardsign $2
The price of an average parade entry fee $10

The price of Mike Jacobs' expression when he looses this election...priceless

Beals - 51%
Jacobs - 49%

Posted by: Anonymous at September 19, 2006 06:20 PM

Beals doesn't have the education or the experience of Paul Rumler. Paul was a Democrat and a great candidate and got beat by jacobs. What makes you think that Beals could beat Jacobs if Rumler a Democrat could not.

Posted by: Anonymous at September 20, 2006 08:59 AM

"Then "Big Mike" tells the city last week, um, sorry, there must have been some misunderstanding, there's no money for you after all."

- Anonymous

It is true that "Big Mike Jacobs" delivered $106,500 to the City of Silvis for a new nature park, $100,000 for the expansion of the Moline Youth Center, $69,000 in East Moline to fix the unsafe storm water drainage system that a child alomst died in last year, and $100,000 for design and construction of a new Children's Museum at the Botanical Center in Rock Island. However, Senator Jacobs never promised anyone e money for a new baseball diamond in Orion. Nor did he ever tell anyone that he they couldn't get the money for the field of dreams if they applied for it.

If you are going to criticize Jacobs, at least do it on something that close to being true. Sheeshhhhh!

If it was the hog plant . . . Doug Riel and Bob Zesiger would already have filed FOIA requests . . . and if it was the Moline Library . . . somebody like the Inside dope would have already broken the story . . .

so . . .

perhaps you should have asked someone in Orion about it . . . because the story in that neck of the woods is different . . .

you can ask your "big dog" all you want . . . but the truth is . . . that dog don't hunt!

Posted by: Anonymous at September 20, 2006 11:13 AM

The race is Beals vs Jacobs and this is the General Election.

Jacobs was selected as the best Democratic Candidate and Beals was selected as the best Republican candidate.

Mr. Beals graduated from West Point.

Senator Jacobs graduated from WIU and holds a Masters in politics.

Perhaps everyone will focus on the facts.

Posted by: Anonymous at September 20, 2006 12:17 PM

Jacobs graduated from the University of Illinois.

Posted by: Anonymous at September 20, 2006 04:41 PM

Both of these candidates are qualified to be a State Senator, but one already has years of experience in and around the Illinois General Assembly. One already has the experience passing legislation. One already has the experience securing needed appropriations for our area. One -- Mike Jacobs -- is much more qualified than the other.

Posted by: Independent at September 20, 2006 09:47 PM

No! No! the question is if Paul Rumler with better cridentials and more experience and a democrat in a democrat district could not get within 10 points of Jacobs how in the world could Beals get anywhere close to 10%. If Beals gets within the number Rumler got then I will be very suprised. After all Beals has the disadvantage of having a broken jaw that he is suing not just the person that clocked him but everybody he can. I feel that Rumler would beat Beals by 10%. Rumler has more education than Beals and a better education than Beals. Rumler worked for Stenny Hoyer. Stenny is a very powerful man that came and worked for Phil Hare in his bid to be our Congresman. In the end Beals is a weak Republican that will be lucky to get 45% of the vote. Maybe he feels that this would be a victory, but I would call him a loser at that point.

Posted by: Anonymous at September 20, 2006 10:49 PM

Only a Jacobs would try such trickery. The only reason Jacobs beat Paul Rumler was because he smeared him and spent the campaign money given to him by his father. SAD!

Mr. Beals is a much better choice.

Keeping slinging the broken jaw, Mr. Beals was the victim of a crime and the supsect was arrested and convicted.

The more Jacobs smears and spins the more people see his true character which is costing him votes, bigtime.

Beals - 52% / Jacobs 48%

Posted by: Anonymous at September 21, 2006 12:19 PM

Agreed.

The worst thing that Jacobs and his backers have done to Mike Jacobs career is their blogging.
It has hurt him and his career.

Posted by: independent at September 21, 2006 03:24 PM

What are you talking about independent? Jacobs ability to lead and pass legislation for our area will be hurt because people that support him upset you and some others? I don't think so. Are you saying that he won't win the Senate seat because of a few of his supporters upset you? He will win by a nice margin.
You need to realize that there are a few peopel that read these blogs. It is anon and anything that is written shopuld be taken with a grain of salt.

Posted by: Anonymous at September 23, 2006 10:24 AM

Anything written by Mike Jacobs supporters should be taken with a pound of salt.

Mr. Beals is a much better choice and can accomplish more for our district as our next elected State Senator.

My prediction:
Beals - 51.6%
Jacobs - 48.4%

Posted by: Dem for Beals at October 1, 2006 05:06 PM

Jacobs 65
Beals 35

Posted by: my prediction at October 9, 2006 12:17 PM

Beals 65
Jacobs 35

US voters do not like nepotism.

Posted by: Anonymous at October 10, 2006 04:59 PM

Nepotism. What part of Jacobs winning the democratic nomination just like Beals winning the republican nomination don't you understand.

Jacobs 68%
Beals 32%

Posted by: Anonymous at October 12, 2006 09:45 AM

I recieved a mail piece from this group today with several candidates on it.